Car Brokers

What is a car broker?
"A car broker these days is really a negotiator for the customer," says John Fahrer, Car Broker and COO of Mark Leasing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Fahrer says once his customers know which car they want, his mission is to save them time and money. "The broker knows where to get the car, negotiates with the dealer for the absolute best deal for the customer and then actually delivers the car to the customer," he says.

Saving $$$ AND Time
Car buyers can save thousands and also save their time. The car broker arranges financing, registration and delivery. "The customer does not have to waste their time going to the dealership which can take hours out of day They save the time. They save the aggravation. It takes maybe 15 minutes, the entire process," says Fahrer.

"It's very, very convenient. It's very service-oriented as well. Very often, the broker will deliver the car to the customer's home or to his place of work," he adds.

A Good Deal for Someone Unfamiliar
Philip Reed of Edmunds.com says car brokers can drive home good deals, especially if you are unfamiliar with the car-buying process. "You could lose as much as $2,000 if you bought a car unwisely," says Reed. He adds, "A car broker can save you quite a lot of money if you are uninformed."

Do Some Homework
Reed suggests doing a little homework yourself to make sure the broker is really working for you. "There is so much information now on the Internet about car buying," he says.

Finding a car broker
"Generally speaking car brokers survive on word of mouth. They survive by doing the customer right. By providing a wonderful deal, efficiently, without any hassle," says Fahrer.

He adds, "I would suggest the best way to find a car broker is to talk to your friends and find out where they've got their cars."

Edmunds.com also suggests asking the car broker for references so you can contact the customers to learn more about their personal experiences.

So, how do you find a car broker in your area? Click here!

Car Broker Charge
Car brokers will charge anywhere from $500 to $750. Reed says don't hand over the money until the deal is done. "If a broker asks for money up front, you should be very leary of it."

Did You Know?
Looking for your next car? Here are some tips.

Bright Idea!
Are you in the market for a new car? Should you consider leasing? Or, should you buy? Take this quiz.

Read more smart consumer tips and strategies
from Fox11 Eyewitness News Online

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